Services

Mum-of-four warms to a new heating system

A MOTHER-of-four who lived with no heating for more than a year has finally had her problem fixed after the Oxford Mail got involved.

Monica Thomas’ story of problems with a faulty heating system at her home in Cowley was published in January.

And this week the housing association A2Dominion has replaced the system and cleared her debt of more than £2,000.

Ms Thomas, who lives in Salesian Gardens with her four children aged eight, five, four and two, said: “I am just so overwhelmed, it has really changed my life.

“Things are back to normal and I can finally feel like my house is my home.

“My kids keep saying ‘mummy touch the radiator’. We are so happy.”

The 25-year-old said they had previously been without heating since January last year.

The problems were thought to be caused by a NIBE heating system, which had featured on the BBC’s Rip Off Britain programme in which Angela Rippon reported that users were suffering extraordinarily high energy bills.

That was replaced in February 2012 with gas central heating and a pre-payment meter by Ms Thomas’ energy supplier, but her gas was cut off due to thousands of pounds of accumulated debt – which she alleged was racked up by the wasteful NIBE system.

In January she told the Oxford Mail: “It is a four-bedroom house but the kids have to sleep together in the smallest room or they would be too cold. I have tried and tried to sort this out, but it feels like it will be like this forever.”

At the time, A2Dominion said it would put an action plan together to help Ms Thomas.

And on Thursday that finally came together.

After speaking to a complaints manager about six weeks ago, Ms Thomas said her heating debts were wiped on the same day.

Following a meeting repairs were scheduled and by Monday workers had arrived to overhaul the heating system.

The issue had also affected some of Ms Thomas’ neighbours, who have had their systems replaced as well.

Ms Thomas said: “I was ready to give up. If it was not for the Oxford Mail article and my neighbours who kept calling A2Dominion, then I do not know what would have happened.”

John Turner, A2Dominion’s Assistant Director of Property Services, said: “All works have now been completed to replace the previous heating system with a new one, which will be more cost effective and easier to use.

“If residents would like to discuss any issues with us, we would encourage them to get in touch.”

If you have been affected by similar problems to Ms Thomas, get in touch with the Oxford Mail on 01865 425500.

Comments

[deleted]
9:28am Sat 29 Mar 14

[deleted]

25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..Dilligaf2010

25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..

Score: 9

[deleted]
10:03am Sat 29 Mar 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]Dilligaf2010[/bold] wrote:
25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..[/p][/quote]Are you serious Dilligaf2010!??? What a small minded, snooty, arrogant, pathetic, disgusting comment to make. You are clearly a very sad person. I for one, would rather be part of a loving family than share one with people that have views like yours! , at least 4 children can be kept warm and that is the important thing here. Shame on you!Crumpet86

Dilligaf2010 wrote…

25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..

Are you serious Dilligaf2010!??? What a small minded, snooty, arrogant, pathetic, disgusting comment to make. You are clearly a very sad person. I for one, would rather be part of a loving family than share one with people that have views like yours! , at least 4 children can be kept warm and that is the important thing here. Shame on you!

Score: -3

[deleted]
5:05pm Sat 29 Mar 14

[deleted]

100% agree with Dilli,Social housing does not give you the right to breed faster than rabbits(and moan about being hard done) IF YOUR COLD PUT ANOTHER BLANKET ON,IT COSTS NOTHING.Oh where is the father/s of these children to help with bills?cowley bob

100% agree with Dilli,Social housing does not give you the right to breed faster than rabbits(and moan about being hard done) IF YOUR COLD PUT ANOTHER BLANKET ON,IT COSTS NOTHING.Oh where is the father/s of these children to help with bills?

Score: 6

[deleted]
5:33pm Sat 29 Mar 14

[deleted]

Dead right Cowley Bob , family culture is fast disappearing , fathers up and starting another brood elsewhere or like Kerry Catona new man - new baby................
........!!!!!!!!!!rowdy

Dead right Cowley Bob , family culture is fast disappearing , fathers up and starting another brood elsewhere or like Kerry Catona new man - new baby................
........!!!!!!!!!!

Score: 3

[deleted]
8:34pm Sat 29 Mar 14

[deleted]

I live nearby,and saleasan garden, is known as "crack/coke close" so much for for social housing(dumping) Owen
's way is same,(pitbull's,pram
's and dealers)TVP are not interested,despite a regugar dump of condom/needle in my garden !cowley bob

I live nearby,and saleasan garden, is known as "crack/coke close" so much for for social housing(dumping) Owen
's way is same,(pitbull's,pram
's and dealers)TVP are not interested,despite a regugar dump of condom/needle in my garden !

Score: 4

[deleted]
9:06pm Sun 30 Mar 14

[deleted]

If a woman has seven children, then they are exempt from the bedroom tax.
So be expecting more little cherubs on social housing estates.John Lamb

If a woman has seven children, then they are exempt from the bedroom tax.
So be expecting more little cherubs on social housing estates.

Score: 0

MonicaThomas
10:55pm Tue 8 Apr 14

To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!!

To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!!MonicaThomas

To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!!

Score: 1

[deleted]
11:01pm Tue 8 Apr 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]Dilligaf2010[/bold] wrote:
25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..[/p][/quote]Hi devils child I replied to ur commentMonicaThomas

Dilligaf2010 wrote…

25 years old, 4 kids;- the eldest being 8, and living in a 4 bedroom house........
..........that should be the story, not the fact that her heating didn't work....no mention of a partner either..

Hi devils child I replied to ur comment

Score: 1

[deleted]
11:09pm Tue 8 Apr 14

[deleted]

[quote][p][bold]cowley bob[/bold] wrote:
100% agree with Dilli,Social housing does not give you the right to breed faster than rabbits(and moan about being hard done) IF YOUR COLD PUT ANOTHER BLANKET ON,IT COSTS NOTHING.Oh where is the father/s of these children to help with bills?[/p][/quote]Read ur reply foolMonicaThomas

cowley bob wrote…

100% agree with Dilli,Social housing does not give you the right to breed faster than rabbits(and moan about being hard done) IF YOUR COLD PUT ANOTHER BLANKET ON,IT COSTS NOTHING.Oh where is the father/s of these children to help with bills?

Read ur reply fool

Score: 0

Crumpet86
11:17pm Tue 8 Apr 14

MonicaThomas wrote…

To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!!

Good for you Monica. I'm just sorry you had to read the comments from these pathetic bitter twisted old fools who are out of touch with reality and probably look for things to be angry about on a daily basis. - very sad! X

[quote][p][bold]MonicaThomas[/bold] wrote:
To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!![/p][/quote]Good for you Monica. I'm just sorry you had to read the comments from these pathetic bitter twisted old fools who are out of touch with reality and probably look for things to be angry about on a daily basis. - very sad! XCrumpet86

MonicaThomas wrote…

To dilligaf2010 and foolish followers! Just replying to your foolish comment concerning me and my family!!!!! You guys are obviously out of this world!!!! I'm pretty sure if you did not have hot water and heating for 1year and 2 months I'm sure you would be crying out for help !! Expecially if you are paying the bills for it and still you and you children are suffering from the consequence!! As a matter of fact since we are on the matter of my age and kids! Yes I'm a young 25 year old and yes I have 4 beautiful children who I do everything for!! Yes all on my own ! You ask where's there Father? He was taken from us on 17th June 2013, due to the fact that Jamaicans and Africans are supposedly not welcome in this country due to prejudice and racist people!! Because they are not British born!! Well I find that hailerious considering we was forced here out of slavery!!! And your jealousy towards the size of my house being four bedroom? **** right it should be since I am a young 25 year old now single mother of 4 who works and pays my own rent council tax and the rest!! By the sound of your perfectic comment you are obviously very young minded and need to grow the hell up !! Don't judge the book by its cover there's only 1 judge and that is our lord saviour God!!! Repent!!

Good for you Monica. I'm just sorry you had to read the comments from these pathetic bitter twisted old fools who are out of touch with reality and probably look for things to be angry about on a daily basis. - very sad! X

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